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Truckee River Flood Management Authority (FMA)
A Conversation/Interview (video below)
Jay Aldean, Executive Director

A Project Most People May Know Little or Nothing About!

After years of planning, the plan, which has been referred to as a Cadillac Plan and by the press as "ambitious,” is a great plan; “The Living River” is a great concept, if looked at in isolation, it is ideal.
Video presentation of actual "Truckee River Flood Project."

Due to the economy and the uncertainty of the Army Corps of Engineers level of participation, if at all, the Board of Directors at their Retreat, on November 17, 2011, started expressing concern regarding the economics with phrases such as “this is not realistic.”  The project cost ranges from approximately  $484 million to $1.6 Billion. That range is due to several considerations, primary the Army Corps of Engineers.

At this time whether the Army Corps of Engineers participates or not, the citizens will probably be committed through their elected officials to some $500 million, not including debt service.  Putting this into perspective, the Reno Train Trench, that City officials are struggling with to make their payments and has paid million in late penalties, cost some $280 million, with debt service cost it is close to $500 million. One Reno Gazette Journal article 1-14-2011 put the cost near $650 million.

In light of the dialog at FMA’s retreat, Nevada Trends had a conversation/interview  with Jay Aldean, Executive Director Truckee River Flood Management Authority (FMA.)

A recent name change identifies the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (FMA) as it’s own autonomous agency created by an inter-local agreement, allowing the agency to own it’s own land, enter into contracts, design and build its projects and to establish and charge fees, all independently of the cities of Reno, Sparks, Washoe County and voter.

This project started out as a “Flood Risk Management Project” with its mission to protect the business districts of downtown Reno and Sparks, and the business district where the Airport is. The project has morphed into a better project, however if the Army Corps does not participate, then we will have to pull back to a “Flood Risk Management Project.” With emphasis on those, three core areas.

Jay Aldean refers to "WRDA" in the interview.
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), is a reference to a series of public laws enacted by Congress to deal with various aspects of water resources: environmental, structural, navigational, flood protection, hydrology, etc. Typically, the United States Army Corps of Engineers administers the bulk of the Act's requirements. There are several WRDAs: with the first enacted in 1974 and the last in 2007. There is hope that another would be enacted in 2012, which may include the "Truckee Meadows Flood Project" which is the Army Corps name for the project.

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